Two months old!

Yep, my baby girl is two months old today. Somehow it feels like she's always been mine. Two months ago, I had a hard time seeing myself with a baby or being a mother, and now I can't imagine not having her! I'm sure that's God helping me through this transition, though. I've certainly been praying enough! Well, this two month birthday brought another doctor's appointment. She weighed in at 10 pounds, 12 ounces, and she's 23 1/2 inches long. She's at about the 50th percentile for weight and the 75th for height. So she's an average weight, just stretched out longer. Of course I could tell that by how her clothes fit. Most things are too short for her arms and legs. Long and lanky! She has moved up to a size 1 diaper and 0-3 month clothes. No more newborn sizes! It's bittersweet because while I'm so excited to see her grow and change, I'm sad to lose every stage that passes. I'm trying so hard to make the most of every day because she's passing milestones so fast. She is not the same baby I brought home from the hospital. She's awake a lot more during the day, and sleeps about 7 hours at night. Her neck is stronger and she will turn her head to watch you walk across the room. She smiles when you talk to her, and she "talks" back with these new adorable noises and cooing. I love her voice. She has put her hands to her mouth since birth, but now it seems like she can see her hand as it comes toward her face and she almost goes cross-eyed when she tries to keep watching it all the way to her mouth. It's hilarious. Of course I realize most of this probably isn't nearly as amazing to anyone else, but it is when it's your own child. Not only is it amazing, it's downright miraculous! Back to the doctor's appointment. Two months old also meant more shots. As expected, it was much more traumatic for Mommy. Julia got two shots in each leg and one vaccine was oral. She screamed while they stuck her, but she calmed down as soon as Daddy held her close. Then I nursed her right away and she was just fine. I've seen her cry longer and harder because she's hungry. We were warned to bring baby Tylenol, so she slept for about 3 hours after the appointment. Then she woke up happy. That's when I took the picture of her pretty band-aids. She's a "champ", as the doctor always says.

Christmas Photo Shoot

Last Sunday my side of the family got together to take a photo for my parents' Christmas cards. We had no photographer, however, so we used my camera and my brother's tripod and set a timer. Julia was fussy so I would stand up and bounce her to get her happy while John set the camera. Then he'd run back to his spot and I would sit down and Julia would start to scream just about the time the camera would flash. We took several this way before she finally stayed asleep. This is our keeper. She's doing a Mr. Burns impression with her hands. (Excellent!) Casey is also licking her nose. :) And my baby sister is not only not a baby anymore, she's drop dead gorgeous! That snuck up on me somehow. Wasn't I just fifteen yesterday?

Brian, Mike, John

Tiffany, Tammy, Jessica & Julia

Casey & Kristen

We propped Jules up on couch pillows covered with a blanket, and I like to think I got some semi-professional shots. She always looks best in sunlight.

The outfit is courtesy of Marlene. Aren't the ruby slippers adorable?

Finally, she woke up and we were able to coax some smiles out of her. If that doesn't melt your heart, you're related to the Grinch!

Five Generations

Vivien, Charlotte, Tammy, Jessica & Julia

Today we made a visit to see my great grandma and took a picture of five generations all together. Isn't that awesome?! There are five daughters, four mothers, three grandmothers, two great grandmothers, one great great grandmother, and a partridge in a pear tree! (Okay, no partridge, but you get the idea.) God has definitely blessed our family. I am so thankful to be a mother myself, and I can only pray that I'll live long enough to meet my own great great grandchildren.

Pretty in purple!

Mini Mehok

She's perfect. There's nothing else to say. Just perfect.

Mehok, Mehok, and Mini Mehok!

She got an X chromosome from me and that's about it!

Smiles!

Finally, she's been caught on camera! Ever since she was born, Julia has smiled in her sleep. Just this week, though, she has woken up very alert and full of smiles in the morning. And unlike the sleeping smiles, these are actually in response to someone talking to her so they're much more fun and a little easier to get a picture of. Grandma Marlene brought over a new winter dress and red shoes for her to try on and make sure they will fit. Little did we know our impromptu photo shoot would be so successful! Every time I think I couldn't possibly love this baby more, she does something new and wonderful, and then somehow I do! I love you more every day, baby girl, and I thank God for you, too.

Mean Pictures

Hey, it had to be done. I took this a couple weeks ago when the thought occurred to me that I have hundreds of pictures of this baby and she's not crying in any of them. And that's not because she doesn't cry either! So the next time she got good and mad, I captured the Kodak moment. I don't know how good the picture comes up on your screen, but if you look closely, there's a tiny tear glistening in the sun on it's way down her face. So pitiful!

Yes, that is what you think it is. I wasn't sure if this was internet appropriate, but I figured it would only be fair to share with the world this sight that I get the pleasure of beholding every day. And yes, if I don't get to the diaper immediately after she poops, it will do this every time. Sometimes even when I'm quick, it gets out. They do not manufacture diapers that can contain what this child produces. You haven't even seen the half of it, if you know what I mean! Just to reassure you, she did get a bath after this traumatic event because as I'm sure you experienced ones have realized by now, there's only one way to get that onesie off and that's over the top! Eww... Maybe it's mean, but when my little girl grows up and becomes a mother herself, there will be proof of the things I've done out of love for her. And like I tell John all the time, "If I don't do it, it doesn't get done." Hey, it's an adventure and I'm always up for a new challenge. Bring it on, Baby! (On the bright side, isn't her belly button looking adorable?)